As we observe International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Islamic Relief is proud to highlight some of the remarkable individuals with disabilities who are building a more inclusive society. Among them is Fatoumata, a determined Malian woman.

Fatoumata lives in the village of Magnambougou, in southwestern Mali. At 47 she has the busy life of a mother of 3 and is a dedicated wife who successfully juggles running a vibrant household with gardening and managing a small retail business to boost her family’s income.

Fatoumata’s life took an unexpected turn when she developed her disability during pregnancy, but she refuses to let this challenge hinder her contribution to her family and community.

“My disability is part of me, but it does not define my limits,” she says.

The way of life in Magnambougou follows a pattern that has lasted for centuries. The mainstays of income for many, including Fatoumata, are agriculture, gardening, and small-scale animal husbandry.

Fatoumata’s days are filled with the kind of activities that sustain not just her family but also the rest of her community: from cultivating her garden with crops like cabbage, tomatoes, and potatoes, to running a small shop that serves the everyday needs of her neighbours. She has transformed her small garden into a source of sustenance and joy.

At the heart of community action

Islamic Relief has had a profound impact on Fatoumata’s life, recognising her potential and empowering her. She now plays a pivotal role in devising projects for women’s advancement and brings the perspective of people with disabilities to the Magnambougou community action team.

The team’s work has had a positive impact, improving protection for vulnerable women and children, tackling gender-based violence, and providing comprehensive training on children’s rights, spousal rights, and the inclusion of people living with disabilities.

The impact of Fatoumata’s leadership is palpable within her community. Islamic Relief’s initiatives, with Fatoumata and other members of the community action team at their heart, have significantly reduced the violence and abuse once commonplace in Magnambougou. The efforts of faith leaders and community action teams have helped to improve harmony within families and communication between children and parents, leading to a more inclusive and supportive village environment.

Sustainable development in action

With a grant from Islamic Relief, Fatoumata bought a water pump, which has revolutionised the way she irrigates her garden and has improved both the yield and quality of her crops. This, in turn, has bolstered her small business, allowing her to record profits that contribute significantly to her family’s income.

“These activities are not just for financial gain,” Fatoumata says proudly, “They are a symbol of what people with disabilities can achieve with the right support.”

A call to deepen our commitment

This International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Islamic Relief reaffirms its commitment to inclusivity and the empowerment of people living with disability. Fatoumata’s story is among many that demonstrate our commitment to lifting women out of poverty and helping them achieve financial autonomy.

By donating to Islamic Relief, you can help extend the reach of empowering projects that enable more people like Fatoumata to lead fulfilling lives. Your donation can break down barriers and build bridges toward a more inclusive future.

Help us to continue our vital work to change the narrative around women and disability, ensuring vulnerable women are empowered to transform their lives: please donate now.

For years Islamic Relief’s humanitarian advocacy adviser Aman Soufi has been studying the mounting crisis in Afghanistan. As the country marks 2 years since a major shift in power, she reflects on the harsh realities facing Afghan women and girls.

The people of Afghanistan yearn for a life filled with productivity, hope, and prosperity. Sadly, this is a far cry from the reality in a country scarred by decades of conflict, political upheaval, and economic crisis.

Two years since power shifted, the humanitarian situation is worse than ever, with unparalleled levels of need and critical shortages in humanitarian funding worsened by the challenges posed by climate change.

Many people are struggling to survive, and for women and girls the situation is particularly dire.

The hopes of Afghan women on hold

The hopes of Afghan women and girls to actively participate in their communities have been put on hold indefinitely.

Public spaces such as parks, gyms, and public baths have become off limits for women and girls, effectively reshaping Afghan society into one in which only men’s interests matter.

Heartbreakingly, their access to education – an empowering, life-changing fundamental right – is now severely restricted.

An edict forbidding girls aged 13 and above from going to school is depriving 2 million children of secondary education. Women have been barred from attending universities, and from taking the exams required to complete medical school, or to pursue medical specialists.

While female doctors are still allowed to work, alarm is mounting that in the future the women of Afghanistan may be cut off from access to vital healthcare if women are not able to graduate and enter the medical profession.

Crisis upon crisis: Afghanistan’s road to stability and prosperity is crumbling

Alongside its multi-faceted economic crisis, Afghanistan faces more frequent and severe droughts – thanks to climate change – as well as disease outbreaks; and the lingering consequences of prolonged conflict.

It’s a devastating combination.

The result is significant barriers to equitable access to healthcare, education, water and sanitation, social protection, and justice for the people of Afghanistan.

A humanitarian crisis of this magnitude demands urgent attention from the global community, which has so far fallen disastrously short.

As of August, only 24.8% of the Humanitarian Response Plan for 2023 has been funded, highlighting the critical need for additional funds. Consequently, the fulfilment of human rights, human development, and long-term national stability and prosperity are being severely undermined.

Moving beyond humanitarian aid

Afghanistan’s circumstances are complex, fragile and fluid. The country lacks relationships with the international community, which itself has no distinct strategy for Afghanistan.

Humanitarian aid from organisations such as Islamic Relief can ease the suffering by assisting families with their basic needs – as we have been doing for nearly a quarter of a century. Efforts to safeguard human rights are essential, too.

But these interventions, important as they are, cannot end the crisis in Afghanistan. Halting the suffering of millions requires the international community to remain engaged, and to find alternative partnerships and methods.

Interventions should focus on addressing the root causes of problems, building strength and adaptability in the community, and minimising the chances of conflict arising in the future. There are opportunities to improve access to services, create economic opportunities, foster social cohesion, and protect human rights. Particularly for children and women, whose exclusion is only digging Afghanistan deeper into crisis.

Considering the country’s exposure to climate change and the potential impact of natural disasters, interventions that promote climate resilience should be a top priority. In addition, climate risks must be considered when designing and implementing all humanitarian and development projects.

Islamic Relief’s call to action

In the face of these distressing realities, Islamic Relief is working tirelessly to maintain operations and deliver much-needed humanitarian assistance, and to advocate for every Afghan’s right to life with dignity, especially women and girls’ rights within the civic space.

Islamic Relief believes that everyone in Afghanistan should have access to high-quality essential services, such as health and nutrition, education, sanitation, and social protection. To improve access to services, it is crucial to strengthen coordination across different sectors, building upon humanitarian interventions to enhance long-term sustainability.

I am clearer than ever that legislation that is fair for all Afghans, particularly women, to end the deepening crisis in Afghanistan. Overall, access to education and work opportunities for women are not just a matter of individual rights but also critical for the progress, development, and well-being of the entire community. It can be done. It must be done, because the alternative is unbearable.

Read Islamic Relief in Afghanistan today to learn more about the life-saving work Islamic Relief is doing.